Supplements for Weight Loss

Which Supplements Should I Take for Weight Loss?

Let me start by saying there is no single pill that will make you look like a super model because if it existed A) I would have bought it by now, and B) obesity in America would be nonexistent.  *Sigh*supplements

That said, there are certain supplements I’ve discovered through training for bodybuilding competitions that can be helpful for weight loss and lean muscle mass gain when combined with a clean diet and consistent exercise (cardio and strength training.)  A quick note here – I’m talking about supplements which you can buy in any vitamin shop, not steroids which are illegal and potentially harmful to your body.

The tricky thing about supplements is that they are not monitored by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration,) so there can be wild claims about health benefits with no scientific back-up whatsoever.  Keeping healthy skepticism in mind, here are some supplements I have personally used while training for bikini and figure competitions that worked for me.

(Disclaimer: I’m neither a doctor nor a dietician, and don’t pretend to play one on the internet, so this is just for information only.  Talk to your doctor before trying any supplements.)

Supplements for Weight Loss

Weight loss supplements
Weight loss supplements
  • Tonalin CLA – This is for people who tend to hold fat around their midsection.  (Like me…)  It’s supposed to reduce fat and enhance lean muscle mass.  It helps you to feel full, so you’re less likely to snack.  There are also some studies out that it may be beneficial for fighting certain types of cancer.
  • L-Carnitine – An amino acid that helps to burn body fat and produce energy.
  • Chromium Picolinate – A mineral that aids in metabolism.  It is used to decrease appetite, increase calories burned, increase lean muscle mass and reduce fat.
  • Fat Burners – I only use these during the last month of training for a show because they contain high doses of caffeine to amp up your metabolism and give you more energy so you can continue heavy workouts even when your calories are cut.  A subset of fat burners is thermo burners, which raise your body temperature to burn more fat.  You have to be careful with these supplements because, if used improperly, they can be addictive.

Personally, I use CLA, L-Carnitine and Chromium Picolinate during the holiday season when I am prone to snack mindlessly on cookies and such; the rest of the year I skip them and rely on willpower.  As noted about the fat burners, I only use them for show prep.

Again, there is no such thing as a magic pill.  The best results come from eating a well-balanced diet and exercising regularly.  In a future post I’ll write about supplements to assist with lean muscle mass growth and recovery, that include things like protein shakes.

How about you?  Do you take supplements?

Lisa :)

Sheslosingit.com (c) 2014 Lisa Traugott.  All rights reserved.  No portion of this blog, including any text, photographs, and artwork, may be reproduced or copied without written permission.

 

 

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